Annual Conference bits and pieces.

• Go to www.cobwebcast.bethanyseminary.edu for an interview with Belita Mitchell, moderator of the 2007 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference, and Lerry Fogle, executive director of the Conference. The webcast reviews the Conference that will be held in Cleveland, Ohio, on June 30-July 4. Mitchell and Fogle discuss the many areas of preparation, from inspiring worship and challenging business, to Bible studies, age-group activities, and other arrangements. They call for Brethren to prepare for worship and business sessions with prayer, study, dialogue, and discernment.
  
  
• Several congregations in Northern Ohio District are working together to sponsor bus trips to the 2007 Annual Conference in Cleveland, according to the district newsletter. Buses are planned from the Akron area, sponsored by Akron Springfield and Akron Eastwood congregations, cost $14 per person per day, call 330-628-3058 or 330-699-9800; from the Ashland area on Sunday, July 1, cost $11 per person, call 419-945-2327; from Lick Creek church (Bryan area) on July 1, cost $35 per person, call 419-6892-1522; from the Poplar Ridge church (Defiance area), on July 1, cost $15 per person, call 419-497-3311; and from the Water Street church (Kent area), where tentative plans are to take the entire congregation to the Conference on Sunday, July 1, call 330-733-8181.
  
  
• A session to talk about the April 16 shootings at Virginia Tech has been scheduled to take place at Annual Conference. Pastor Marilyn Lerch of Good Shepherd Church of the Brethren in Blacksburg, Va., will host the session for those who seek a place to talk about the tragedy and its aftermath. Those who are in congregations that include Virginia Tech students or graduates, as well as those who continue to process the meaning and implications of this event, may find the session helpful. It will be held on July 2, 4:45-5:45 p.m., in Room 209 of the Cleveland Convention Center.
  
  
• The Church-College Relations Council of Juniata College will host a reception for alumni and friends during Annual Conference in Cleveland. The reception is set for Sunday, July 1, 5-7 p.m., at John Q’s Steakhouse. The event will offer an opportunity to socialize in a relaxed atmosphere, and feature a brief program at 6 p.m. including greetings from Juniata president Thomas Kepple and chaplain David Witkovsky, and the presentation of church-college service awards. Cost is $10. Tickets are available from the Juniata College Campus Ministry Office at 814-641-3361 or campusministry@juniata.edu, or online at www.juniata.edu/alumni.

Source: 06/06/2007 Newsline Extra